Since moving to Montana, we’ve met some amazing handcrafters and artisans. From the pottery guy downtown who creates uniques jars and mugs to a metal and wood-working couple who use local wood and metal pieces to create beautiful artwork, the talent in Montana abounds.
Montana’s MarketPlace is a new online shopping site that makes it easy for Montana sellers to set-up their own shop (if you’re a Montana seller, you can sign-up for free here) as well as for customers to find that special, unique gift that’s the perfect present. It’s a great site to visit if you’re looking for something you won’t find in a traditional, big box retailer.
One of the things I love about the products on Montana’s MarketPlace is that there are some interesting backstories. Pine Needle Farms creates beautiful cashmere winter items as well as felted animals. What makes these products so unique is that they’re made from cashmere spun from the wool of the crafter’s own cashmere goats. The goats are raised in Montana and the cashmere doesn’t leave the farm until you purchase it. It’s kind of like “farm to table” but instead it’s “farm to closet.”
Montana is called “Big Sky Country” and for good reason. Every morning I wake up feeling like I’m looking at a postcard, with vast skylines and views looking over the valley. Montana is home to many renowned and award-winning photographers and artists who each bring their own unique perspective of life in Montana to their art. Montana’s MarketPlace offers signed prints, books, and other handmade Montana artwork to add some Montana style to your home. (Ladies, if your man loves fishing, there’s a great collection of Bern Sundell fish prints.)
Montana jewelry also has a distinctly Montana style. Montana produces more gem-quality sapphires than any other state in North America, which means some stunning necklaces and earrings made with Yogo sapphires or Montana sapphires. I love that a lot of the artisan crafted jewelry has a Western or Montana flare. The leather items and cuffs are so unique and one store even creates jewelry from upcycled Montana brewery beer cans.
If you’re shopping for the perfect gift or are just looking to get something special for yourself, shop Montana’s MarketPlace for a variety of unique Montana crafts and goods that will help bring you a taste of Montana living.
Have you ever visited Montana? What do you love about Montana living?
denise says
December 30, 2015 at 3:38 pmI’ve never been to Montana, but I have a cool Montana-made mug!
keely hostetter says
December 31, 2015 at 9:39 amMy husband and I went to Montana this summer for the first time. We went to a ranch for an anniversary trip. We loved the beauty of the mountains and the stars at night. It was such a great experience and we would love to go back again.